Recipes we are thankful for

This Thanksgiving, we are sharing some of our favorite recipes from our sustaining members. Happy holiday season to you and yours!

OLD FASHIONED GINGERBREAD

Louan Rogers, Sustainer

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 cups flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp ground ginger

1 cup dark molasses

1 tsp soda

1 cup boiling water

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, cinnamon, cloves, ginger. Mix well with mixer on low speed add flour alternately with the molasses, beginning and ending with the flour. Dissolve soda in boiling water and add to batter. Bake in greased 9x12 or 9x13 pan at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes. When cool dust with powdered sugar or serve warm with whipped cream.

PECAN PIE

Jane Sample

1 cup white corn syrup

1 cup dark or light brown sugar (I prefer light)

1/3 tsp salt

1/3 cup melted margarine (5 tbs)

1 tsp vanilla

3 whole eggs (slightly beaten)

1+ cup chopped pecans

Whole pecans (enough to arrange around pie - about 1-1 1/2 cups) 

Combine syrup, sugar, salt, butter, and vanilla. Mix well. Add slightly beaten eggs. Pour into a 9-inch unbaked pie shell. Sprinkle chopped pecans all over. Arrange whole pecans around the shell, setting them lightly on the surface. Bake in pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes.

PAULA DEEN COOKIE DOUGH TRUFFLES

Julie Donnelly, Sustainer

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate morsels

1 cup pecans, finely chopped

1 1/2 lbs chocolate bark candy coating, melted

In a large bowl cream butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Add vanilla. Gradually beat in flour and add milk. Add chocolate morsels and pecans, mixing well. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place on waxed paper; chill 2 hours.

*Cook's Note: Since the dough is sticky, roll your fingers into flour. This will make it easier to roll.

Melt chocolate bark candy coating in a double boiler. Using 2 forks, dip cookie balls into candy coating to cover. Place on waxed paper and chill to set. Store in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Beyond the League: Christine Foreman

Welcome to “Beyond the League.” In this series, we will meet Active and Sustaining members of The Junior League of Midland, Inc. We will learn how they are making contributions to the community, their workplace, and beyond – celebrating how the skills they gained in the League make an impact beyond the League.

Today, we visit Christine Foreman. Christine is a sustaining member of The Junior League of Midland, Inc. and is involved in several organizations throughout the community, including the Carver Center PTA.

Tell us about the organization where you lead or serve.

Currently, I am the Teacher Appreciation Chairman for the Carver Center Parent Teacher Association.

How has your JLM experience helped you lead and serve this organization?

The JLM gave me the tools to be a knowledgeable and confident part of many school’s PTA’s. In the recent past, I have also served as President, Treasurer, and several other board positions. Because of the training I received through the JLM, I can come up with an agenda, keep minutes, read and present a financial report and many other functions that help organizations to run smoothly. In my job as Teacher Appreciation Chairman, I am confident enough to find out what has worked (and hasn't worked) in the past and do the research to make changes if needed.

How can others get involved? 

You don’t have to have kids in public schools to be a part. PTA’s have long served parents, students and staff in schools. Don’t be afraid to get plugged in to your child’s school, your grandchild’s school or a campus that is near your home! Volunteers are always needed in schools and the PTA has a great history of helping out.

What else would you like to share? 

I’m so proud of my JLM roots. Today, outside the League, I still volunteer alongside many of the women from my Provisional Class, and I’m a proud member of the Second Tuesday Club. I would not be where I am today without the JLM.

Pictured above: 

Christine (right), along with current Carver Center PTA President and fellow Sustainer, Rooney Mestas (left) participating in school activities this Halloween. 

Second Tuesday Club Presentation to the Association of Junior Leagues International

The idea of the Second Tuesday Club began over four years ago and is going strong. A group of Sustainers headed by Vicki Donnell and Helen Shelton sent out letters to all Sustainers and past league members who had reached Sustainer status but were no longer a part of our League. These letters invited the ladies to join The Second Tuesday Club for fun, food and fellowship. The response to the invitation was tremendous. 

Acceptances began coming in and coming in and coming in.   Approximately 75 former members reinstated into the League and joined the club. By the time the deadline to join was reached, 270 Sustainers accepted the invitation. The committee was overwhelmed by the response and excited to begin the first year.  These ladies were thrilled to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. 

Under the leadership of Vicki and Helen, the Steering Committee began work on plans for the first year. The first luncheon was held in a lovely backyard in September 2011 and the JLM Board helped serve. The Second Tuesday Club was off to phenomenal beginning. 

A Second Tuesday Club Yearbook is issued each year and given to each member.  The members submit ideas for programs and sign up to be hostesses at the meetings. The Program Committee gathers the ideas, researches the program suggestions and plans the calendar for the year.  Some of the meetings are at League Headquarters and others are at different off-site venues, such as the Beal Ranch House and a Christmas Party come and go at a member’s house. 

Our League was asked by “PALS,” a networking group composed of mid- size leagues in the Association of Junior Leagues International to present a PowerPoint on our Second Tuesday Club at Fall Conference in New Orleans.  What an honor is was to share with the other leagues our size the success of The Second Tuesday Club of The Junior League of Midland, Inc.

Our League is so grateful to the Second Tuesday Club for allowing us to share their success with PALS.  We look forward to joining this great group one day and participating as Sustainers ourselves.

- Leslie "Leaf" Faller

The Junior League of Midland, Inc.

President 2015-2016